Overview

The University of the South Pacific (USP) is the premier provider of tertiary education in the Pacific region and an international center of excellence for teaching, research, and consulting on all aspects of Pacific life. USP comprises a vibrant and culturally diverse community of staff and students from its twelve member countries: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, as well as many other countries worldwide.

The university is governed by a Council consisting of representatives from USP’s member countries, and senior officers of the university. The Council is advised on academic matters by Senate. The members of both bodies are prescribed by statute. The vision of USP is:

- To be a Pacific center of excellence in the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom in the service of Pacific communities.
- To enhance Pacific peoples’ capability to lead free and worthwhile lives.
- To provide the foundation for Pacific peoples to be proud of their heritage and take pride in creating their future, the heritage for the next generation.

Location

The University of the South Pacific Region spreads across 33 million square kilometers of ocean, an area more than three times the size of Europe. In contrast, the total land mass is about equal to the area of Denmark. Populations vary in size from Tokelau with 1,600 people to Fiji with more than 800,000. The total Pacific island population is about 1.3 million.

International airlines flying routes between Australia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand. and the United States link a number of the island countries. There are also airlines which service the region. Within countries, inter-island shipping is used to reach smaller islands without air services.

Because of its strategic position and facilities, USP attracts eminent scholars and staff from all over the world.

Academic Highlights

USP offers internationally recognized undergraduate and postgraduate programs in a wide variety of disciplines, including accounting, agriculture, banking and finance, computing science, counseling and social services, engineering, environmental management, journalism, public administration and management, science, teaching, tourism, and many more. In addition to its teaching activities, the university has developed a strong track record in research, particularly in the areas of business management, teacher education, politics, law, Pacific studies, development, governance, marine studies, science and technology, and eco-tourism.

University Services

All campus services and facilities normally available to USP students will be available to you. As an AustraLearn participant, you will be directly enrolled as an undergraduate student at the University of the South Pacific. This allows you to take advantage of every opportunity to be involved in the campus environment and culture by participating in university activities with resident Fijian and other island nation cultures as well as other international students.

Services of the university include academic assistance, personal counseling, health-related aid, religious services, overseas student advising, legal aid, and student government. As a full time student at the campus, you will become a member of the student association that normally coordinates social, academic, sporting, and cultural events for its members. Involvement in various activities may help you to meet and interact with other local students. Sporting activities vary from rugby, soccer, and cricket to dance and theater groups.

In addition to the services offered by the university, AustraLearn employees a full time resident director on-site in Fiji. The resident director will be available 24/7 in case of emergency and is available through a toll-free number.

Housing

AustraLearn has a special arrangement with the University of the South Pacific for all of its students to stay in on-campus apartments during their semester abroad. These apartments are not optional, and all AustraLearn students will be placed in the same facility. The apartments are suited to tropical living with air conditioning, open air staircases, windows, fans, and tile floors. Each student will have a private bedroom and will share a kitchen and living space with two other students. Students will walk to/from the campus, and there are shops and restaurants across the road from the accommodation.

Click on "Photo Gallery" on the left to view photos of the accommodation for AustraLearn students studying at USP.

Orientation

You will attend the Program Introduction with the AustraLearn program staff and local Resident Director. During this introduction you will meet other students and see a very unique part of the main Fiji Island of Viti Levu. The focus of the introduction is both education and adventure. You will arrive in Fiji at the main international hub called Nadi (pronounced Nan-di) and then travel by bus one hour east to the beach and village area called Sigatoka. While at this site, you will stay in a local resort, visit a traditional Fijian Village and enjoy a relaxing beach and ocean area. As a group, you will discuss the cultures of Fiji and how it relates to your study abroad experience. Once you arrive at the campus you will also be required to attend the University of the South Pacific university orientation in order to register for classes, learn about the campus facilities, and meet with the international program coordinator at the campus.

Fees

Program Fees	$9,895.00
Housing
With Meals	not available
Without Meals	included in the program fees
Housing Deposit
With Meals	not applicable
Without Meals	not applicable

Fee Includes

This fee includes tuition for 3-4 subjects, accommodation in air conditioned apartments, AustraLearn Program Introduction on-site in Fiji, university administrative fees, overseas health coverage, all pre-trip services including orientation materials, visa-processing service (excluding the visa fee), personal advising, subject selections, liaison with your home university, credit transfer assistance, financial aid services, and 24-hour assistance while abroad.

Fee Semester

The above fee is for the February 2008 term. Fees are subject to change for future terms.

Facts

Location: Suva, Fiji
Overseas Students:
Staff:
Total Enrolment: 7780

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have the required GPA and have completed at least the equivalent of one year of full-time study at the university/college level.

Students with a lower GPA than the requirement may be considered on a case by case basis. Please contact our office for more information.

Required GPA: 2.50